Fortunately for Wacker, He Gets an Extension

Minnesota football Coach Jim Wacker, who has compiled a 12-31 record over the last four seasons, was given a two-year contract extension.

“I really believe that I’m the most fortunate man in all of America.” Wacker said Friday. “I’m thrilled to death at the chance. I’m thrilled to death at the challenge.”

Texas Christian running back Matt Moore underwent emergency surgery after suffering a neck injury during practice Friday.

Moore was listed in serious condition at Harris Methodist Fort Worth hospital after about three hours of surgery.

Through 10 games, Moore has gained 235 yards and caught 10 passes, mostly as a backup to Andre Davis.

Skiing

This weekend’s World Cup women’s giant slalom and slalom races at Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, have been postponed because of excessive snowfall and unseasonably warm temperatures.

The giant slalom, originally set for today, has been rescheduled for Sunday, and Sunday’s slalom for Monday.

Figure Skating

American Michelle Kwan took first place in the women’s short program at the Nations Cup competition at Frankfurt, Germany.

Maria Butirskaia of Russia finished second, followed by Germany’s Tanja Szewczenko. Nicole Bobek of the United States was fifth.

Marina Eltsova and Andrei Bushkov of Russia won the pairs competition, followed by Germans Mandy Woetzel and Ingo Steuer. Elena Beretsnaia and Oleg Shliahov of Latvia were third.

Miscellany

Top-seeded Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge of Australia defeated Mark Knowles of the Bahamas and Daniel Nestor of Canada, 6-7 (7-4), 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), to reach the semifinals of the $1-million World Doubles Championship at Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Chen Shu-chih of Taiwan set world records in jerk and total lift in the women’s 182.6-pound division at the World Weightlifting championships at Canton, China.

In her third try on the jerk, the Asian champion lifted 297 pounds, breaking her previous record of 292.6 pounds.

Chen totaled 528 pounds, beating the former record of 522 1/2 set by China’s Zhang Xiaoli at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima Japan.

Barcelona Olympic bronze medal winner rower Steve Wood, 34, of Australia died of undisclosed causes in Brisbane, although TV reports said Wood had committed suicide.

Jurisprudence

An assistant basketball coach at Fresno State has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of wife beating. Johnny Mack Brown, 32, was charged Nov. 14 after his wife, Tara, 23, complained that he choked her and hurt her back.

A magistrate in Kingston, Jamaica, fined heavyweight boxer Razor Ruddock $500 for disorderly conduct and using indecent language. The charges stemmed from a confrontation with an airport police officer.

Auto Racing

Billy Boat of Phoenix won the 55th Turkey Night Midget Grand Prix at Bakersfield on Thursday but Tony Stewart of Rushville, Ind., won the national midget title, becoming the first U.S. Auto Club driver to win three series titles the same season.

Stewart, who finished seventh in the Turkey Night race, had previously won USAC’s Silver Crown dirt car and sprint car titles.